Game



Nov. 1, 1932. F. R. CHESTER GAME 5 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed May 16, 1930 INVENTOR. M Q, m M, M M

TTORNEYS.

Nov. l, 1932. F. R. CHESTER 1,885,802

GAME

Filed May 16. 1930 5 Sheets-Sheet 2 INVENTOR.

M, Md'am ATTORNEYS.

Nov. 1, 1932. F. R. CHESTER GAME 5 Sheets-Shet 3 Filed May 16. 1930 A TTORNEYS.

Nov. 1, 1932.

F. R. CHESTER GAME 5 Sheets-Sheet 4 Filed May 16 1930 I nl lilmihmlfins INVENTOR. M Q. W. M, mkmm ATT RNEYS.

Nov. 1, 1932. CHESTER 1,885,802

GAME

Filed May 16. 1930 5 Sheets-Sheet 5 F g. 5. E 40 4/ 1/ o a cm (2D 1.;

- INVENTOR. M Q. BY

M, Java/W3 W A TTORNEYS.

Patented Nov. 1, 1932 FRANK R. CHESTER, OF NEW YORK, N. Y., ASSIGNOR TO, CHESTERFIELD CONTROL COMPANY, OF NEW YORK, N. 'Y., A CORPORATION OF DELA XVARE GAME Application filed May 16,

This invention relates to a functionally and structurally improved game mechanism and in its more specific aspects a base ball game apparatus. y

One of the objects of the invention is that of providing a game which will embody rela tively few parts, each individually simple and rugged in construction and operating whenassembled with freedom from mechanical difficulties for long periodsof time, it being an additional object to provide a game apparatus in which the results achieved are entirely dependent upon the skill of'the op-' erators and in which the playing of the game will present extremely intriguing features, aside from the fact that substantially all of the plays of an actual'game may be duplicated with fidelity. p I

A further and primary object is that of constructing a game in which a novel mechanism will be provided for the purpose of operating the runner and/or scoring units of the apparatus. With these and further objects in mind, a reference is had to the attached sheets of drawings illustrating one practical embodiment of the invention, and in which: liig. 1 is a plan view of a game apparatus;

Fig. 2 shows an operating mechanism; Fig. 3 is a perspective view of such mechanism;

Figs. 4; and 4a show details of one of the operating units;

Fig. 5 shows a portion of the pitcher drive; Fig. 6 is an end view thereof, and Fig. 7 is a perspective view of a batting or missile-impelling mechanism.

In these iews the numeral 10 indicates the deck of the apparatus which, according to 'thepresent eXemplificati on, is laid out in the form of a baseball field including a diamond 11 providing the usual batter, catcher, first, second and thirdba'se, as well as shortstop positions. To the rear of this diamond the fielder positions are provided for. The entire deck is preferably sloped towards the catcher position so that a missile disposed at any point thereon will gravitate to this po- 5 sition and at the rear end of he deck a trap ieso. SerialNo. 452,832.

11 is provided, the purpose of which will be hereinafter brought out.

With primary reference to each of the player positions aforementioned,-it will be observed, as in Figure 4, that at points in line with these positions the deckis formed with an opening and receives a bowl shaped member 12 which may support, upon a pivotally mounted plate 13 a player figure '14. Each of the plates is normally maintained with its upper face in substantially horie zontal position by means of a spring-pressed rod 15 and it will be noted that each of the bowls or cups 12 provides a guideway for the movements of a reciprocating plunger 16. This plunger is moved as, for example, by means of a link 17 secured to a crankarm 18,.the latter being attached to a shaft 19. As shown in Figure 3, a motor 20, by means of a worm drive 21, serves to rotate a shaft 22. The latter is connected by a pitman 23 to rods 24. These rods are coupled to arms 25 secured one to eachof the several shafts 19 which, as shown, are duplicated at points underlying those at which thevarious I player stations are provided. The upper face of each of the plungers 16 is in the case of infielder units preferably inclined forwardly as at 26 and the amount of throw imparted by the links 17 is such that, normally, so the highest point of the plunger just, clears the under face of the plate 13, it being noted that the latter is preferably under-cut as at 27 to assure of this result. Thus, the plate 13 normally does not move, but if a missile is deposited Within the bowl or cup 12' it will gravitate to apoint at which it is supported upon the end of the plunger and this mis sile, which has'been indicated at 28, will bear against the under face of the trap 13 and elevate the same until the missile clears the upper edge of the forward portion of the bowl which, as shown, is filled, preferably,

with a solid block of material as at 29. Upon this occurring this missile, under the action of the spring pressure transmitted through the plate 13, will be cammed between the adjacent surfaces. 26 of the plunger and the bevel surface27 of the plate and, ,accordof these several bowls is, due to the continned driving of the motor 20, automatically delivered to the mechanism providing the pitcher.

However, it will be observed that the mechanism providing the outfielders and pitcher are 'dirigible; In other words, as shown in Figure 4, the bowl or cup 12 may be provided with a flange portion which assures of its v rotatable support. In the case of the infielder positions, thisfiange portion is fixed against rotation as, for example, by tightening the supportingledge 31 therefor to a point at which no shifting of the parts may occur but a corresponding ledge portion, in the case of the pitcher and outfielder positions or stations merely provides for rotatable support.

A shifting of the parts at these latter stations is assured by utilizing, for example, a lever 32 which is pivotally supported below the deck as, for example, at 33, this lever being connected by means of a series of links 34 to each of the several out-fielder bowls. To transmit movement from the lever to the pitcher bowl, a link 35 is preferably utilized which connects with an arcuate rack member 36, the teeth of which mesh with a pinion 37 secured adjacent the base of this bowl. Thus, a shifting of the lever 32 results in a corresponding movement on the part of these sevoral bowls, but while the bowlsor cups adj a cent the rear end of the deck may only traverse the field to direct a missile throughout a range of, for example, from a point slightly beyond first base to a point slightly beyond third base, this movement of the lever will result in an almost complete rota tion of the pitcher bowl. Accordingly, mechanism at the latter point or station may direct a missile towards any of the infield positions.

Whilein the casev of theinfield, outfield and catcher stations the plungers '16 operate continuously, resulting in an impelling of a missile shortly after the latter has been deposited within the bowl or cup, it will be obvious that this would notbe desirable in the case of the pitcher having inmind that a game of skill is tobe provided. Thus, and again referring to Figure 3, it will be noted that the. shaft 22, by means of a sprocket 38,

serves to drive a sprocket chain 39 and the.

links of the latter correspondingly rotate a sprocket 4O mouted to idle upon a shaft 41. Adjacent this sprocket a friction plate 42 is provided and this plate issecured against of Course, be nderstood that b graphite other suitably lubricated surfaces undue wear of the parts at this point is prevented. The plate 42 and consequently the shaft, is normally held from rotation by providing a notch in'this plate and with which a detent 44 engages. This detent may be shifted by means of a crank45 coupled thereto by a link 46. Accordingly, when the crank is actuated, the detent moves out of position and the plate rotates with the sprocket 40. Thus, the shaft 41 is driven and the end of the latter terminates in a crank portion 47 riding within a slot formed in a link 48. One end of this link is rockingly supported below the deck and the opposite end thereof, by means of a pitman' 49, connects with a plunger 16 corresponding identically to the plungers of the several other units. As a consequence, an operaterwill at all times have under his control the delivery of a missile from the pitcher towards any portion of the field by simply depressing the crank 45 or any othersuitable mechanism provided for this purpose and in previously shifting the lever 32011 its equivalent to cause the pitcher the influence of "a spring 53, normally remains in the'position shown; A link 54 connects this crank' with a lever. 55. The latter is rockingly supported ad] acent its upper end below the deck and may conveniently carry a guiding roller 56 for cooperation'with the edge of a rail 57 A spring 58 has one of its ends connected to the lower end of the lever and its opposite end is connected to a crank arm 59 attached to a shaft 60. This shaft carriesa gear 61, the teeth of which mesh with the teeth of-a gear 62 secured to a shaftv 63.. The upperend of the latter extends above the plane of the deck and at this point carries a rod 64 which sweeps use across the deck-to impel any missile in its path. -When the lever is rocked from one extreme position to the other, the spring 58 isshifted past the .dead center of the crank 59 and the latter is snapped through an arc,

thus rotating the gears 61 and 62 and causa ing the rod 64 to sweep forward overthe deck. In this connection, it will be understood that movements of the crank 59 are limited, as for example, by providing stop pins 65. H v

In'operation, it will be'understood that .missile will roll across the same and fall into the cup positioned adjacent the catcher station. Incident to the continuous'reciprocation of the plunger 16 at this station, the ball will be automatically impelled to the pitcher station, where it will remain until the'handle is actuated. As soon as this actuation occurs, the shaft 41 is coupled for one revolution with the sprocket 40 and consequently the ball will normally be pitched towards the catcher. If the person in control of the handle 51 actuates the bat at the proper instant, he will intercept the missile in its travel towards the batter station and will impel the same across the deck. The impelled missile may drop into one of the cups provided adjacent the other player position and if the particular cup in question happens to be one which simulates an infielder station, themissile will be automatically returned to the pitcher station due to the fact that all of the infielder stations are set to direct an impelled missile towards the central point. If themissile drops into one of the cups simulating an outfielder station, the operator, by actuating the rod 32, may cause the projecting mechanism under his control and with which the missile is associated, to direct the missile towards one of the infielders in order to have the missile arrive before the runner can reach a point adjacent the infielder station. Failing in his purpose, the operator still will have the missile delivered to the pitcher and may re-project it from the pitcher station either towards the catcher at the home plate or any of the infielder positions. In certain instances the ball may roll across the deck without entering any of the cups, in which case, in its return travel it will either drop into one of the cups of the infielder or outfielder stations or else will continue to move until itdrops into the cup adjacent the pitcher station or the cup at the catcher station. Finally, the ball may move to a point adjacent the trap 11. In this instance, by simply actuating the handle 66, the operator may cause the trap to remain depressed through the medium of arod 67 until the runner has had time enough to traverse completely the base lines of the diamond, this counting as a home run. In this connection it will be understood that the trap 11 is simply in the nature of a hingedly mounted plate which normally lies in the plane of the deck, but may be depressed to an extent suificient to retain a missile resting thereon.

It is appreciated that in the present ap plication no runner mechanism has been shown. Obviously, this might be in the nature of a runner figure traversing the infield structure or the fi ure mi rht be simulated by a series of lights, or else a certain time interval may be allowed for a runner to traverse the infield from one base to the other, and the players, by noting the interval of elapsedtime between the impelling of the missile and the return of the same to an infields position, may count the runner out or safe, as the casemay be. The preferred form of runner mechanism utilized in this connection will be shown in a separate applicationfor patent, together with a preferred form of scoring mechanism. If a mechanical figure or lights are employed tosnn'ulate a runner, the actuation thereof is preferably controlled by the lever 66. Insofar as the scoring device is concerned, it will be appreciated that, according to the present invention, it is proposed to employ the rods 15 for this purpose,.it being noted, as at 68, that hese rods are continued to be connected to a suitable mechanism (not shown) to effect this result. Thus, the impelling member for the missile serves its primary function as well as that of energizing the scoring and/or control mechanism incidentto the fact that the plate 13 will not move and, accordingly, the rod 15 and its continuation 68 will not be actuated eXceptin the presence of a missile.

In other words, as a consequence of the illustrated construction, not alone will the missile be impelled by the unit, but also the runner indicating and/or scorlng mechanlsm as well as associated apparatus will be con- 1 trolled by the shifting of the plate or trap 13 ori ts equivalent mechanism. To this end,

as has been illustrated in Fig. 4a, the rod 15. preferably terminates in a hook shaped extension 69 which rides against a roller70 mounted between lugs associated with the upper face of the plate 13. Thus, a mecha nism is provided serving under the influence of a missile to effectively actuate any desired apparatus connected to the extension 68 without any interruption to the. functioning of the game nor any effort on the part of the players other than that of correctly directing the missile. form of this apparatus will be illustrated and described in an application for patent which is about to be filed in the United States PatentrOfiice. i 5

From the foregoing, it will be understood that, among others,-the several objects of the invention as specifically afore pointed out are achieved. t will, moreover, be appreciat ed that numerous changes in construction and As afore stated, a preferred rearrangement'of the parts might be resorted I to without departing from the spirit invention as defined by the claims.

Having described my. invention, what I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is:

- 1. A game including a plurality of missile impelling units,'plungers forming a part of the impelling means of saidunits, a further unit, a plunger associated withthe latter toprovide an impelling means'therefor, reciprocating means coupledto said first named of the p q 2. A game including,

impelling members additionally-carried by plunger's for actuating the same, and-insane. for optionally couplin the plunger of the last named unit to said plunger reciprocating means. i

in combination, a deck, fixedly mounted missile receiving and impelling members carried by said deck, m0vable missile receiving and impelling members additionally carried by said deck, said mov: able members being adapted to project a mis sile in the direction of any of said first members, and all of said fixed members being adapted to project a missile inthe direction said centrally disposed movable member.

4. A game including, in combination, a deck, a plurality of fixed missile receiving. and impelling members carried by said deck, a plurality of rotatable missile receiving and said deck, one of said latter members being disposed centrally With respect to said deck, said movable. membersv being adapted to be rotated throughan arcuate path and to project a missile along any one of the radii of said arc, said fixed members being adapted to project a missilein thedirectionof said centrally disposed movable member, and means for varying the position of said movable members. I

.5. A game including, in combination, a deck, aplurality of fixed missile receiving and impelling members carried by said deck, a plurality of rotatable missile receiving and impellingmembers additionally carried by said deck, one of said latter members being disposed centrally with respect to said deck, said movable members being adapted to be rotated through an arcuate path and to project a missile along any one of the radii of said arc, said fixed members being adapted to project a missile in the direction of said movable member inoperative.

centrally disposed movable member, and means for rendering said centrally disposed 6. A game including, in combination, a

deck, a plurality of fixed missile receiving one end of said deck and in line with the nor mal path of travel of missiles impelled by 7 lid all of said fixed members being adapted to project a missile in thedirection of said centrally located member. I I

7. A game. including, in combination, a, deck, a plurality of fixed missile receiving and impelling members carriedby said deck, a plurality of movable missilereceiving and impelling members carried by said deck, one of said last named members being centrally disposed with respect to said deck, a furthermissile impelling member mounted adjacent one end of said deck and in line with the nor-malpath out-travel of missiles impelled by said centrally disposed member, said movable members being capable of rotation through an arcuate path and of projecting a missile along any of the'radii ofsaid arc, all ofsaid fixed members being adapted to project a missile in. the. direction of said centrally located member, and means for effecting the operation of said missile impelling means. 7 v

In testimony whereofl afiix m'ysigna-ture.

FRANKR. CHESTER; 

